Pittsburgh Bus Accident Lawyers
Strong representation for public and commercial bus accident victims and families
Pittsburgh offers different types of bus services. Children in both the city and the suburbs ride the buses the local school systems operate. Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides bus transportation to several hundred thousand riders. Riders use PRT to get to work, school, public events, and for many other purposes. Commercial buses take residents and visitors on sight-seeing tours, travels to sporting events, and excursions to and from places outside of Pittsburgh. Riding the bus can be rewarding – but it can also be dangerous. When an accident happens, many people are likely to be hurt at the same time.
At Carmody and Ging, Attorneys at Law, our Pittsburgh bus accident lawyers understand the unique challenges involved when cars, trucks, and other vehicles collide with a bus, or the bus driver causes an accident. We’re skilled at cases with multiple plaintiffs. We understand when a school district, the city of Pittsburgh, or other public entities may be liable. Our personal injury lawyers have been tough advocates for personal injury victims for a combined 60 years. We’re ready to help you obtain justice.
Free Case Evaluation
What would you like to know?
- What types of buses are available in Pittsburgh?
- What causes Pittsburgh bus accidents?
- What types of injuries do bus crashes cause?
- What laws regulate buses in Pennsylvania?
- Who is liable for my Pittsburgh bus accident?
- How much time do I have to file my Pittsburgh bus accident claim?
- Do you have a bus accident lawyer near me?
What types of buses are available in Pittsburgh?
Anyone can use Pittsburgh’s public transportation services. There are numerous routes all around the city including Oak Hill, Brighton, Troy Hill (where our office is located), and Bower Hill.
The Pittsburgh school system provides information about the different transportation carriers, eligibility for rides, and safety protocols for the children who use the bus. Some students are also eligible for a Port Authority pass.
There are also many private buses, including charter buses, motorcoaches, and other buses that are used for inner city trips and excursions outside of Pittsburgh.
What causes Pittsburgh bus accidents?
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in 2020, 321 commercial buses and 156 school buses were involved in accidents, killing three people. Most of the collisions involved a passenger car, light truck, van, or SUV.
Bus accidents are different than car accidents for a few key reasons. The main danger is that buses carry many people, so that when an accident occurs, large numbers of people may be injured. School buses usually transport between 66 to 90 people. Greyhound buses carry about 50 to 55 people.
Buses are more likely to roll over than cars. The size, weight, and mass of a bus makes driving a bus harder to control than a passenger car. While private buses may have seatbelts and airbags, many school and urban transit buses do not. Common causes of bus accidents include:
- Driver distraction. Bus drivers can be distracted if they don’t know their routes and need to look at a GPS. They can be distracted if they text or talk on the cellphone. Dealing with the passengers can be distracting. Eating or drinking while the bus is in motion is asking for an accident.
- Driving while tired. Many drivers need to get up very early in the morning or work late shifts. Some urban transit and charter bus drivers can be in their bus all day, causing fatigue and lack of concentration.
- Failure to manage blind spots. The long width and length of buses creates blind spots that make it hard for a driver to know where other vehicles are in relation to the bus – behind the bus, to either side, and in front of the bus. Drivers who don’t manage these blind spots are likely to cause an accident.
- Speeding and other traffic violations. All bus drivers and drivers near buses need to obey the speeding laws, stop signs, traffic signals, and all other rules of the road. Many accidents occur when passengers are boarding or leaving a bus.
- Wide-turn accidents. Bus drivers need to understand how to safely steer their bus through a turn so the bus doesn’t hit nearby vehicles.
No bus, car, or truck driver should ever drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Buses should never be overloaded with passengers. In addition to accidents, bus drivers need to ensure children and passengers don’t slip and fall at the bus stop. Our personal injury lawyers work with investigators, question everyone who has knowledge about the accident, review inspection records, and take other steps to show what caused your bus accident and injuries.
What types of injuries do bus crashes cause?
Our Pittsburgh bus accident lawyers work with your doctors and our network of doctors to verify your injuries, show all the ways your injuries are making your life difficult, and all the medical help you’ll need. We handle all types of bus accident injuries including:
- Neck, shoulder, and back injuries
- Nerve, tissue, ligament, and muscle injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- All other types of serious injuries
We seek compensation for all your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage, scarring and disfigurement, loss of bodily function, and other applicable financial and personal damages, for as long as your injuries endure.
What laws regulate buses in Pennsylvania?
Buses are considered common carriers if they charge a fee and are open to the public. There are federal and state laws that regulate common carriers, including safety standards for all types of buses, though these standards vary depending on the type of bus. For example, school bus drivers need to understand that children don’t act as maturely as adults.
There are regulations and standards that govern the design of buses as well. There are other rules for hiring and vetting drivers. Commercial bus drivers are required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Pennsylvania also has rules for stopping or passing when a school bus picks up or discharges its passengers.
At Carmody and Ging, our Pittsburgh bus accident lawyers review whether a bus company, a bus driver, or another driver violated any of these laws.
Who is liable for my Pittsburgh bus accident?
At Carmody and Ging, we file Pittsburgh bus accident claims against the people and companies responsible for your accident. These defendants potentially include:
- The driver of the bus
- The transportation company that owns the bus and manages the drivers
- A school district that owns a school bus
- Municipal bus companies
- Private bus companies
- Manufacturers of defective bus parts
- The state, the city of Pittsburgh, and governmental agencies such as the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, if they failed to properly oversee the road design and road maintenance of the routes used by the bus driver
- Drivers of other vehicles involved in the accident
Additional defendants may be liable, depending on how the accident happened and the type of bus involved in the accident.
How much time do I have to file my Pittsburgh bus accident claim?
Generally, you have two years to file your claim. Some shorter time frames may apply, such as if your claim is against a state agency. The best advice we can give you is don’t wait. The sooner we meet with you, the faster we can investigate the accident site, speak with witnesses, answer your questions, talk with your doctors, and start the claims process.
Do you have a bus accident lawyer near me?
Carmody and Ging is located at 801 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh, on the 3rd floor of the Deutschtown Center building. We’re right across the road from Penn Brewery. Parking should be available nearby. You can also reach us by bus – get off at the Troy Hill Road stop. For patients injured or in poor health, we can conduct video conferences and make arrangements to see clients away from the office.
Relax. Exhale. We have your back. We’ll answer all your questions, guide you through the claims process, and be your advocate with the insurance companies and the defense lawyers.
Contact our Pittsburgh bus accident lawyers today
We understand you have worries about your health, your finances, and your family. You worry that lawsuits are dramatic like what you see on TV and in the movies. They’re usually not. We’ll calmly and clearly explain how the claims process works. If you’ve been hurt or a loved one died in a Pittsburgh bus accident, talk to the injury attorneys at Carmody and Ging today. Please call 412.281.2929 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Our lawyers will help you get a fresh start.